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Better by Mistake

In Better by Mistake, I examine the delicate tension between what we’re told – that we must make mistakes in order to learn – and the reality that most of us dread and avoid mistakes. Using in-depth research and behavioral studies, my book includes what the medical and aviation fields have taught us about the best ways to respond to errors, how and why men and women react differently to mistakes and how other cultures approach the concept of mistakes.

Better by Mistake was:

Named by The Huffington Post as one of the “Books We Thought You Should Know About”

Listed on Entrepreneur’s “Seven Intriguing Books to Inspire you This Spring”

Called “one of the five favorite books on creativity” by Westchester Magazine

A finalist for Books for a Better Life award

Awarded Honorable Mention by the American Society of Journalists and Authors

Acclaim for Better by Mistake:

“Fascinating, vivid, and spectacularly useful. Alina Tugend is a whip-smart guide to the secret landscape where our (so-called) errors are transformed into powerful opportunities. Make no mistake: this is a great book.” – Daniel Coyle, author of The Talent Code

“The research presented in Better by Mistake is refreshingly clear and often surprising. Read it and find out why Japanese teachers allow students to spend twelve minutes or more explaining their wrong answer to a math problem, why posting grades for all to see is an example of healthy understanding of the cyclical nature of time and why praise lowers ambition. This book is fascinating, practical and fun.”- Wendy Mogel, author of the best-seller The Blessing of a Skinned Knee

“Better by Mistake is a fascinating and wide-ranging exploration of the deeply human phenomenon of screwing up. With Alina Tugend as your wise (and wise-cracking) guide, you’ll learn why perfection is a myth, why apologies pack power, and why effort is often more important than results. And once you’ve finished this book, you’ll never look at mistakes — or yourself — the same way.” – Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind